Stephen Leung Explained

Type:Bishop
Stephen Leung
Honorific Suffix:D.D.
Suffragan Bishop of the Anglican Network in Canada
Church:Anglican Church in North America
Diocese:Anglican Network in Canada
Term:2009–present
Ordination:1979
Consecration:November 13, 2009
Consecrated By:Don Harvey
Other Post:Area Bishop, Asian and Multicultural Ministries in Canada
Rector, Church of the Good Shepherd

Stephen Wing Hong Leung is a Canadian bishop. Since 2009, he has served as suffragan bishop with responsibility for Asian and multicultural ministry in the Anglican Network in Canada, a diocese of the Anglican Church in North America.

Biography

Leung studied at Wycliffe College in Toronto, after which he was ordained in Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui. he served as a curate in Hong Kong and then for several years as a pastor in Macau. In 1990, he was called as rector of the Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd, a predominantly ethnic Chinese congregation in the Diocese of New Westminster in Vancouver.[1]

In 2002, after the New Westminster synod controversially approved the blessing of same-sex unions, Leung joined the Good Shepherd delegates, along with delegates from seven other churches, in walking out of synod in objection. Leung and the other dissenting leaders formed a group called the Anglican Communion in New Westminster, declared impaired communion with Bishop Michael Ingham, and requested alternative episcopal oversight—including, eventually, requests for oversight from Global South Anglican primates.[2]

As the Anglican realignment proceeded in Canada, Church of the Good Shepherd voted unanimously[3] to disaffiliate from New Westminster in February 2008.[4] Good Shepherd sought oversight from the Anglican Church of the Southern Cone and joined the Anglican Network in Canada. The church was involved in litigation over the ownership of its property; the Supreme Court of British Columbia (a trial court jurisdiction) in 2009 affirmed that the property belonged to the diocese, but the judge awarded a $2.2 million bequest to the local congregation, finding that "Dr. [Daphne Wai-Chun] Chun intended the proceeds [of the bequest] to be applied to the building needs of the parish that served the Chinese community. That parish voted unanimously to receive Episcopal oversight from the Province of the Southern Cone and to affiliate with ANiC. In the circumstances, I conclude that a scheme whereby the funds are held on trust for the building needs of the ANiC congregation will best fulfil Dr. Chun’s charitable intent." The higher B.C. Court of Appeal affirmed the ruling, and the Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear the case, resulting in Good Shepherd leaving its prior building.[5]

On November 13, 2009, Leung was consecrated a bishop for ANiC in St. Catharines, Ontario, alongside Charlie Masters and Trevor Walters. He continues to serve as rector of Good Shepherd and is responsible for Asian and Multicultural Ministries in Canada, ANiC's multicultural outreach arm. He also represents the ACNA in relations with Asian provinces of the Anglican Communion and GAFCON, attending for example the installation of Datuk Ng Moon Hing as primate of the Church of the Province of South East Asia.[6]

Personal life

Leung is married to Nona. They had two daughters; in 2018, their younger daughter died unexpectedly in Edmonton.[7]

Leung received an honorary doctorate from Wycliffe College in May 2021.[8]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: THE RIGHT REVEREND STEPHEN LEUNG . Anglican Network in Canada . 5 December 2022.
  2. Book: Ferguson . Julie H. . Sing a New Song: Portraits of Canada's Crusading Bishops . 2006 . Dundurn . Toronto . 9781550026092 . 265.
  3. News: Court rules church properties remain with diocese of New Westminster . 5 December 2022 . Anglican Journal . November 26, 2009.
  4. News: DeSantis . Solange . Three more churches vote to leave Canadian church . 5 December 2022 . Anglican Journal . February 25, 2008.
  5. News: VANCOUVER, BC: Congregations Evicted from their Church Buildings . 5 December 2022 . Virtue Online . May 19, 2011.
  6. Web site: Bishop Stephen Leung Attends Archbishop of SE Asia’s Installation . Asian and Multicultural Ministries in Canada . 5 December 2022 . March 7, 2016.
  7. Web site: Hunt . Garth . TWO VERY PARTICULAR PRAYER REQUESTS . Anglican Network in Canada . 5 December 2022 . October 31, 2018.
  8. Web site: Wycliffe College Announces Honorary Degree Recipients - May 2021 Convocation . Wycliffe College . 5 December 2022 . May 3, 2021.